Remote release device for load binders

ABSTRACT

A remote release mechanism is disclosed which permits restraints such as flat straps placed around a load and placed in tension by a winch to be released by an operator positioned on the same side of the transportation structure as the winch. Thus, the present invention permits the hook end of a load restraint to be released from the winch side of the transportation structure, thereby eliminating the need to perform separate operations on either side of the restraint mechanism. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides apparatus comprising a hook bar connected to a rotatable drum which is held from rotation in one direction by a ratchet and pawl. Upon release by the application of force to a remote release rod, the hookbar is released and permitted to rotate, thereby causing the hook which connects the restraint to the hook bar to fall away, releasing the restraint. Methods of remotely releasing a load restraint are also disclosed.

This invention is related to my previously filed U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 656,932, filed on Feb. 15, 1991 and entitled "CONSTANT TENSIONWINCH HAVING ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM".

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for restraining aload and, more particularly, to apparatus for remotely releasing arestraint, e.g., a strap that is restraining a load.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The transportation of goods via railcar, flatbed truck or flat bargefrequently involves the use of cables, chains or straps placed intension over the load. As set forth in my previous patent application,referenced above, there are a number of considerations, well known tothose of ordinary skill, that impact upon the effective design ofwinches, straps and the other hardware inherent in such load restraintsystems. However, despite the advances in winches set forth in myprevious patent application, the design disclosed therein as well asmost other known designs suffer from an inability to be quickly andefficiently released upon arrival of the load at its destination.

For example, when logs are shipped via railcar, the load is typicallyrestrained by three or six winch-driven straps which encircle the logstacks. Upon arrival, woodyard personnel must remove these load bindersfrom each car prior to unloading. This type of operation is extremelyslow and cumbersome when handled by one person. This is because therailcars typically arrive at the unloading point randomly oriented, withthe winches randomly located on either side of the railcars. For thisreason, two people are typically assigned this task, one standing oneach side of the rails by which the railcars to be unloaded arrive. Thetwo unloading personnel must work together to release the tensioncreated by the winch mechanisms, release the strap or cable end, pullthe restraint over the load and store the released restraint. If onlyone person is assigned these sequential tasks, two, three or morecomplete circuits must be performed around a line of railcars. If someof the strap ends are accidentally left engaged, the restraint mechanismwill be destroyed by the force created when the unloading crane liftsthe load. Even if all the straps are properly disengaged and removedfrom the load bundle, some may be improperly stored since the unloadingoperations frequently take place at night or in the dimly lit corridorsbetween lines of railcars. Binders that are improperly stored are likelyto trail behind the railcar, being either damaged or severed entirely.In some instances, the binder may damage other equipment or even causederailment.

Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a load binder for use inconjunction with a winch mechanism that could be operated and releasedconveniently by one person who is preferably located in the vicinity ofthe winch.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it has now been found that these and other objectives maybe fulfilled when using a load restraint comprising a strap and hookthat surrounds the load, by providing release apparatus comprising ahousing having an attached rotatable drum with a hook bar for receivinga hook in releasable engagement where a ratchet selectively prevents therotation of the drum in one direction, and a release means is providedthat permits the ratchet to be released from a remote location. Thus,when the release means is operated after the strap tension has beenreleased at the winch device, the drum is permitted to rotate in eitherof two directions, and due to the weight of the hook and hook bar, thedrum rotates so as to cause the hook bar to be angularly displaced andthe hook released therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the ratchetcomprises a ratchet wheel with at least one tooth and a pawl. The pawlis preferably connected to the release means by a connecting rod, and ina preferred embodiment a spring means for urging the pawl into theratchet tooth is also provided. In a most preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the restraint comprises a flat strap which isterminated at its distal end by a hook which is substantially in theshape of a bent, flat plate. Similarly, the hook bar is most preferablyplate-shaped so as to engage the preferred embodiment of the hook. Incertain embodiments, a means is provided whereby a tool for producing atorque may be accepted by the release means. For example, a hole may beprovided in the drum or one end of the drum may be shaped to accept awrench or similar tool. In a most preferred embodiment, the apparatus ofthe present invention is affixed to a railcar and cooperates with aconstant tension winch disposed laterally opposite the release mechanismon the structure of the railcar. Methods of releasing a restraint placedaround a load from a remote location adjacent a winch which tensions therestraint on the load are also disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of the remote release mechanism of thepresent invention installed to cooperate with a winch.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a portion of the remote releasemechanism shown in FIG. 1, illustrating the engagement of a strap andhook.

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the remote release mechanism shownin FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As mentioned above, the present invention is preferably used inconjunction with a winch that creates tension in a load restraint, suchas a strap. Most preferably, the present invention is used inconjunction with a constant tension winch apparatus, such as thatdisclosed in my previously filed U.S. patent application Ser. No.656,932, filed on Feb. 15, 1991, entitled "CONSTANT TENSION WINCH HAVINGAN ANTI-THEFT MECHANISM". Although the descriptions which follow relatemainly to the use of the aforementioned winch and the application of thepresent invention on a railcar, those of ordinary skill will realizethat numerous other transportation devices, such as flatbed trucks andlarge shipping pallets lend themselves to application of the presentinvention.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown in elevation view a typicalinstallation of a preferred embodiment of apparatus 100 of the presentinvention. A transportation structure 50, such as a railcar, shownpartially in cross-section, is fitted with a winch 52 having a strap 10extending therefrom and over the load (not illustrated). In a mostpreferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus of the presentinvention is used in conjunction with a constant tension winch 52 thatis operated by at least a first ratchet 54 and pawl 56 to providetension in the strap, cable, chain or other load restraint 10. Those ofordinary skill are familiar with the operation of such winches generallyand further details the operation of a constant tension winch 52 such asthat shown in FIG. 1 are set forth in my above-referenced patentapplication.

As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 1, the load restraint 10 is guidedupward and over the load to be restrained until it encircles the loadand is brought to a position where it may again be attached to thetransportation structure 50. For this purpose, the distal end of thestrap 10 is preferably fitted with a hook 12 or similar engaging meansfor removable attachment. Most preferably, at least a portion of thehook 12 is formed of a flat plate, rather than having a circularcross-section or other shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the strap 10 is routedbeneath the release mechanism 100 of the present invention. As explainedin detail below, the hook 12 is then engaged with the release mechanism100, thereby permitting the strap or other restraint 10 to be placed intension by the operation of the winch 52.

The remote release feature of the present invention is also shown inFIG. 1. A release rod 120 is connected at a first end 121 to and extendsfrom the release mechanism 100 transversely beneath the transportationstructure 50. The release rod 120 is mounted adjacent the winch 52 usinga mounting bracket 150. As illustrated, an eye bolt 122 or other meansfor grasping and manipulating the release rod 120 is preferably providedat its second end. By providing the release rod 120 as shown, thepresent invention obviates the need for personnel to be positioned onalternate sides of the car, or for personnel to make multiple circuitsaround the cars to release the restraints. Although the release rod 120is preferably comprised of round hot rolled steel bar stock, a hollowtube, cable, chain or the like could be substituted to perform itsfunction. Similarly, those of ordinary skill will immediately realizethat numerous other structures could be substituted for the eye bolt 122illustrated. For example, a "T" handle, square ring, "L" handle or thelike would perform equally well to operate the release mechanism 100 incertain applications of the present invention.

Further details of the release mechanism 100 are best described withreference to FIG. 2, wherein a preferred embodiment of the releasemechanism 100 of the present invention is illustrated in an elevationside view. As shown, the restraint 10 is first guided over a chafepreventing means 102 which may be a circular bar, as illustrated, orother means for permitting the restraint to slide smoothly, e.g., aformed bracket or other radiused structure. Since the strap 10 is nowwithin the housing 110 of the release mechanism 100, it is shown inphantom as it passes over the drum 104 which is rotatably attached tothe housing 110. Affixed to the drum 104 and also shown in phantom isthe hook bar 106. As its name implies, the hook bar provides a locationwhere the hook 12, preferably provided at the distal end of the strap10, may be releasably engaged with the release mechanism 100. At least aportion of the hook bar 106 is most preferably in the form of a flatplate, as is the hook 12, for reasons explained below. However, those ofordinary skill will realize that in certain applications it may bepreferable to construct the hook bar 106 from a "U" shaped section ofround bar stock or the like or to utilize other structures that performthe same function.

Preferably, the hook bar 106 has "ears" 107 either removably or fixedlyattached to each side, thereby forming a guide device whereby the hook12 is prevented from sliding to either side. It will be appreciated byone skilled in the art that while "ears" are illustrated in FIG. 2 andFIG. 3, other means for providing such a guide device are anticipated tofall within the scope of the present invention.

Also affixed to the drum 104, but disposed on the outside of thestructure is the ratchet 108. As illustrated, the ratchet 108 iscomprised of one or more ratchet teeth 109. In certain embodiments, itmay in fact be preferable to provide a single ratchet tooth 109. In anyevent, at least one ratchet tooth engages the pawl 112 to prevent therotation of the drum 104 in one direction. Thus, for the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 2, the drum 104 may be rotated only in the clockwisedirection, and slippage in the counterclockwise direction is preventedby the engagement of the pawl 112 and one of the ratchet teeth 109.

The pawl 112 pivots on a pawl pin 113, which pin is preferably ashoulder stud extending through a drill hole in housing 110, andplug-welded on the opposite side thereof, pawl pin 113 further functionsas a means for attaching the pawl 112 to the housing 110. The pawl pin113 may alternatively be comprised of a stud and a cotter pin or clip, anut and bolt, or any one of numerous other similar structures well knownto those of ordinary skill.

Connected to the pawl 112 is the connecting rod 114 which is connectedat a first end by pin joint 115 to the pawl 112 and is connected to therelease bar 120 at its second end. The connecting rod 114 is slidablyaffixed to the housing 110 via a connecting rod bracket 111. A coilspring 116 is compressed between a spring stop 117 formed on theconnecting rod 114 and the connecting rod bracket 111. The force createdby the displacement of the coil spring urges against the spring stop 117and thereby urges the pawl into firm engagement with a ratchet tooth109, preventing inadvertent disengagement due to shock or vibration.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a front elevation view ofthe release mechanism illustrated in FIG. 2, revealing further detailsof the apparatus described immediately above. In FIG. 3, the strap 10 orother restraint is omitted to permit a clear view of the hook bar 106.Also shown is the drum 104 and the manner in which it is mounted withinthe housing 110. The ends of the drum which protrude through the housing110 are most preferably retained by a drum retaining ring 103 and a drumsleeve 105 which are hollow, tubular members having about the same innerdiameter as the outer diameter of the drum 104, thereby permitting themto be press fit, shrink fit, swaged, welded or otherwise affixed to thedrum 104. Alternatively, the drum ring 103 and drum sleeve 105 could beaffixed using a set screw or the like that urges against the drum. Asshown, a boss 213 aligns the pawl 112 and the ratchet wheel 108. Alsoprovided in a preferred embodiment and illustrated in FIG. 3 is a hole205 or other means for receiving torque, such as that generated by ashaft or bar (not illustrated) inserted in the hole 205. This featurepermits the advancement of the drum in the single direction permitted bythe operation of the ratchet and pawl, as discussed above if so desiredto increase the tension in the restraint. In certain other embodiments,the hole 205 could be replaced by a square, hexagonal or other sectionedshape formed in the sleeve 205 that permits a wrench or the like to beengaged therewith.

The present invention also discloses means for releasing a loadrestraint. In operation, the load is secured by engaging the restrain 10in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 1-2. Most preferably, the hook bar106 is positioned about 60° from the horizontal when the pawl 112 isengaged with a ratchet tooth 109. The strap 10 is tensioned using thewinch 52, however minor adjustment using the release mechanism 100 ispossible in certain embodiments. To remotely release the hook 12 andthus free the restraint 10, an operator merely pulls the eye bolt 122provided on the release rod 120, using either a manual grip or with theaid of a lever or tool (not shown). The pull on the release rod 120 istransferred to the pawl 112 via the connecting rod 114. The spring 116is chosen such that the force it creates to urge the pawl 112 into theratchet tooth 109 is readily overcome by the operator. In other words,the application of a release force on the release rod 120 results incompressive displacement of the spring 116 by movement of the connectingrod 114.

Since the pawl 112 is pivotably connected to the connecting rod 114 andthe housing 110, upon movement of the connecting rod 114, it will swingto disengage from the ratchet tooth 109. When this occurs, the weight ofthe hook and hook bar, plus any tension in the restraint 10 will causethe drum to rotate in the counterclockwise direction (relative to theview illustrated in FIG. 2), causing the hook 12 to disengage the hookbar 106. At this point, the winch may be manually wound to stow therestraint 10. Alternatively, should the operator be on the side of therailcar or other transportation structure where the release mechanism100 is mounted, the pawl 112 may be manually lifted to disengage theratchet tooth 109 and permit the drum 104 to turn freely, therebyreleasing the restraint 10 as described above. In this instance, unlessthe winch 52 provided is self winding, the strap must be manually reeledin and stowed from the opposite side of the railcar or othertransportation structure.

Although certain embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed above with particularity, numerous modifications,substitutions and variations to the embodiments disclosed willimmediately present themselves to those of ordinary skill. As mentionedabove, a number of structural elements described above could be readilyexchanged with others which, although differing in appearance, performthe same function to achieve the same result. Moreover many elementsillustrated could be combined if desired or otherwise differentlyadapted to be used on different transportation structures. However, suchalternate embodiments are intended to be within the spirit of thisinvention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claimsto ascertain the full scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. Apparatus for releasing a load restraintcomprising an elongated flexible restraint member having a hook at afree end thereof, the restraint being placed in tension by a winch andsurrounding a load on a load supporting body, said apparatuscomprising:a housing attached to said load supporting body; a drumrotatably attached to the housing; a hook bar for receiving the hook inreleasable engagement, said hook bar affixed to said drum; ratchet meansoperatively connected between said drum and said housing for selectivelypreventing the rotation of said drum in one direction; and release meansfor releasing said ratchet means, said release means disposed proximatethe winch and operatively connected to said ratchet means, whereby uponoperation of said release means said drum is permitted to rotate ineither of two directions and rotates so as to cause said hook bar to beangularly displaced, thereby releasing said hook therefrom.
 2. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein said ratchet means comprises a ratchetwheel comprising at least one tooth and a pawl.
 3. The apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein said pawl is connected to said release means by aconnecting rod.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a springmeans for urging said pawl into said ratchet tooth.
 5. The apparatus ofclaim 3 wherein a first end of said release means is connected to saidconnecting rod and a second end is slidably mounted within a release barbracket.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein an eye bolt for receivinga tool is disposed at a distal point of said second end of said releasemeans.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said load restraintcomprises a flat strap having a hook substantially in the form of a flatplate.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said hook bar issubstantially in the form of a flat plate.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein said drum further comprises means for accepting a tool forproducing a torque.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means foraccepting a tool comprises a diametric hole through said drum.
 11. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for accepting a tool comprisesa portion of said drum shaped to accept a wrench.
 12. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein said winch and at least said housing are affixed to arailcar.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said restraint comprisesa flat strap.